On today’s stop on the #COVirtualHeritageJourney, enjoy this informative short video – “Mountains Meet the Prairie” – where we learn about the four distinct ecosystems that make up the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area and the wildlife that thrives in the river corridor.
What wildlife have you spotted recently on or near the Poudre River?
Today on the #COVirtualHeritageJourney we have the “Western Water – and Power” documentary, a fascinating film from RMPBS about our state’s most important natural resource: water.
“Ever since Western settlers dreamed of deserts in bloom, men have chased the mirage of more water than these arid lands can provide. ‘Whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting’ describes the urgent struggle every generation of Coloradans faces to control this fleeting resource—creating hydrodynamic history through structures that can propel water to run uphill toward money, and power.”
This week on #COVirtualHeritageJourney check out some local history in the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area.
In this video, we will learn about the history and rehabilitation of the Antonito Depot. “The Depot was a bustling hub of activity and the businesses in Antonito flourished!”
For more information, visit: sangreheritage.org
#AntonitoDepot #SdCNHA
Today, on the #COVirtualHeritageJourney, take a tour of the craft brewing scene in Fort Collins, CO and learn how you can support your favorite brewers by purchasing the Colorado Strong Pale Ale!
Our local breweries are an integral part of the Northern Colorado culture and heritage. Many of these breweries rely on the Poudre River to brew their beer. A healthy river = a healthy brewing economy! And, lots of happy beer drinkers too. Please support craft brewers by sharing this video, drinking local, and purchasing Colorado Strong Pale Ale.
Colorado Strong Pale Ale is a benefit beer made with Colorado ingredients by Colorado breweries to support the local supply chain, small independent breweries, and raise funds for the Colorado Strong Fund to provide aid in response to the impacts of Covid-19 across Colorado.
The Colorado Brewers Guild and the Left Hand Brewing Foundation, have partnered with the Ball Corporation, On Tap Credit Union, StickerGiant, Root Shoot Malting, Colorado Hop Company, and Shirts On Tap. 20% of all sales of Colorado Strong Pale Ale will return to the Colorado Strong Fund and will be allocated directly to provide assistance to healthcare, hospitality, service industry, and gig economy workers across the state.
By purchasing a growler, crowler, or 6-pack of Colorado Strong Pale Ale from your local brewery you not only provide a charitable contribution, but help your favorite brewery to make payroll, keep the tasting room open, and most importantly, keep brewing delicious beers for years to come! Learn more at: http://coloradobeer.org/colorado-strong/
This week on #COVirtualHeritageJourney, Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area takes us on a trip down memory lane. We will learn about La Placita de San Rafael.
“The truth is, you never outgrow where you come from. You carry it with you everywhere you go. I was raised in the shadow of the church of San Pedro y San Rafael, not the San Rafael Presbyterian church in Mogote but the Catholic church by the same name. Sufficed to say that since I lived right across the fence from church, I spent a lot of my time there; attending mass, helping in the maintenance and upkeep and even playing guitar in the three-person choir.
When I’m asked where I grew up, a sense of pride and satisfaction comes over me. I was brought up in San Rafael and educated by Catholic nuns, it was all I knew. As far as other religions were concerned, they didn’t exist, everybody was Catholic. I’m not proud to say that my church attendance has lessened over the years but I’m still a Catholic, it’s my identity, my culture. The entire population of the “placita” felt similarly, and we all felt as if the little church belonged to all of us.
My family, as well as our relatives and neighbors all shared a common bond, our little church. From the changing of “mayordomos” to the annual “función” and our monthly mass, it was all about family and community. Father Felix Lopez was the pastor, he was from Spain and spoke little English, all our interactions with him, including mass, were in Spanish. That was fine though, since it was our native language anyway. When my father passed in 2014, my aunt Fedelina and I rang the church bell to announce his passing. I was told that it was the tradition.
Who I became and my perception of the people and places around me was forged in this placita. I don’t live there anymore and I wish could spend more time there. But I carry it with me everywhere I go.
I hope you enjoy this documentary as much as I enjoyed growing up “en la placita de San Rafael”.
– Toby A. Madrid Jr.
Thank you to Rick Vigil at Down to Earth Media for sharing this piece with the heritage area to share with the world!!
This week on #COVirturalHeritageJourney check out a video from Visit Alamosa Colorado.
Alamosa County is centered in the middle of the San Luis Valley, and offers unique outdoor recreation, majestic views, trail systems, steam engine train rides and quiet dark night skies in a quaint railroad and agricultural town .
Walk along the trail systems of the Alamosa Ranch or paddle board along the Rio Grande River. Explore one of three local breweries or ride on the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. Hike up and sandboard down the nation’s highest dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park and preserve or quietly view a variety of birds and wildlife at the Alamosa Wildlife Refuge or Blanca Wetlands. View Colorado Alligators or take a dip in a hot springs swimming pool. Dine at local family own businesses or take lunch on the road and play a round of Golf at Cattails Golf Course. Stroll around Alamosa’s downtown to experience its history and small-town charm. From red brick to pressed metal ornamentation, Alamosa is a study in the architectural trends that have passed through the nation since the 19th century. There are also 16 locations on the National and State Register of Historic Places. Fine tune your historical knowledge by visiting the San Luis Valley Museum and the Luther Bean Museum.
This week for the #COVirtualHeritageJourney, South Park National Heritage Area is pleased to present these sketches by A.F. Wilmarth.
“A. F. Willmarth was born in Chicago in 1850. He died in Fairplay March 10, 1938. He was married to Cora D. Willmarth. Cora died in Fairplay January 17, 1913, according to the Fairplay Flume obituaries. ⠀
A.F. (Arthur) Willmarth was an internationally known political cartoonist and illustrator. His wife, Cora, wrote the book Widows Grave and Otherwise in 1903. A.F. Willmarth illustrated the book. He also illustrated Hello Bill – A Book of Toasts, as well as Bachelor Bigotries by Laura Brave Bates, Drawing Room Plays by Grace Luce Irwin and The Seven Plays.⠀
He did illustrations for Paul Elder and Company of San Francisco where he illustrated books and pamphlets. Willmarth worked for several newspapers, including a few in Colorado.”⠀
See more at: https://buff.ly/3gj9Vx7⠀
. . .⠀
The collection of sketches and papers were jointly purchased by the Park County Local History Archives and the Park County Historical Society of Colorado. The original documents are preserved at the Archives in Fairplay, Colorado.⠀
Today, on the #COVirtualHeritageJourney, Northern Arapaho elders share their stories about the Cache la Poudre River and why this river valley is so important to their tribe’s heritage and culture.
“Water is sacred and we respect that. Without water there is no life.” – Crawford White, Northern Arapaho Elder
Indigenous peoples have been living in and migrating through the unique eco-tone of the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area for more than 13,000 years.
Today on #COVirtualHeritageJourney watch Denis Lopez talk about what a national heritage area is, and also takes us through some of the places in the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area.
For more information, visit: sangreheritage.org
This week for the #COVirtualHeritageJourney South Park National Heritage Area is pleased to present this year’s first edition of the South Park Heritage Magazine ????
Find it here: https://southparkheritage.org/south-park-heritage-magazine/
The Winter/Spring 2020 Edition’s featured article is Park County’s Cemeteries, featuring photos by Sean Brubaker, and text by Christie Wright, writer of South Park Perils. Stay tuned as we will be sharing more photos and glimpses from the Magazine!
????@seanbrubaker11, featured article text by @christielwright
Feel to browse it on your laptop, cell phone, as well a download a PDF copy!
Please let us know what you think and thank you to everyone who submitted articles, we are looking forward to the next edition! Don’t forget to visit Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area and Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area as they present more Colorado heritage and history as part of the Colorado Virtual Heritage Journey!